—By Willette Y. Johnson—
On Saturday, November 14, 2015, some friends and I attended the Springfield Unity Festival at Symphony Hall. Thanks to the generosity of POV’s Rick and Marjorie Hurst, media sponsors of the event, our festival tickets allowed us easy entrance to an event that had been highly anticipated for many weeks. After meeting and greeting so many eager attendees in the lobby, we were given event programs and ushered into the auditorium of open seating. We eagerly awaited the start of “We Raise Our Voices: A Springfield Unity Concert.”
The audience was welcomed by the Mistress of Ceremonies, Shakala Alvaranga from Western Mass News. She spoke briefly about the mission and goals of the event, highlighting the significance of a vision of peace and unity held by the late York Mayo which ignited the idea of this concert. A businessman and dedicated volunteer in the area, Mr. Mayo was a former executive with American Saw & Manufacturing Co. and helped re-start Habitat for Humanity in Springfield. Three years ago he and Lee Hagon-Kerr, former choral director of Minnechaug Regional High School and choir director at Christ The King Lutheran Church, spoke with key leaders in Springfield from whom they received a positive response, and thus they began working towards making his vision a reality. Volunteers were invited to join a leadership-planning team, and the Springfield Unity Festival was born.
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno addressed the audience with his special, trademark remarks sparking everyone to feel the infectious pride of something this remarkable taking root and thriving in the City of Homes. Of course he thanked everyone for their participation, including his Chief of Staff, Denise Jordan, Paul Robbins, Unity Festival Co-Chair, and the family and friends of York Mayo. While speaking, Mayor Sarno made reference to his brief singing career as a student under the direction of the late Josephine Fullilove, a beloved spiritual leader and gifted musician. I believe we all felt privileged to be present at such a history-making event.
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Dr. Raymond Wise ignited the stage. This phenomenal musical director, hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, began with an enthusiastic greeting and welcoming of the two hundred plus racially, generationally, and culturally diverse choir members to their places. It was an amazing sight! Once the singing began, we were immersed in musical contributions for the remainder of the evening. The choir was accompanied by combined sounds of drums, piano, keyboard, and bass guitar played by former students of Dr. Wise who are renown musicians in their own right. Everyone knew what they were expected to do, and executed their performance with close to perfection. It was incredulous to learn that they had all only met that same day. It was clear that Dr. Wise knows something about creating, organizing, leading, and showmanship. One great surprise for the audience was the participation of members of the now renowned High School of Science and Technology Band along with their band leader and teacher, Mr. Gary Bernice.
Dr. Wise shared facts about the history of gospel music. He spoke about its origins, its differences from European music, and its importance in the lives of slaves who used song to communicate, tell their stories, and honor their God. He talked about its evolution through the years, becoming a favorite music genre for singers and churchgoers around the world. Dr. Wise also made a conscious effort to get the audience further involved in the festivities. He had us standing, moving to rhythms, chanting, and singing. In those moments, we were indeed united!
The program continued with the Unity Choir singing original pieces by Dr. Wise along with old familiar songs, a special presentation of song by The “Una Voz” Choir (a group of select singers from the Pioneer Valley), an inspiring slideshow tribute to York Mayo, introduced by his wife, daughter, and grandson, and the singing of an incredible song entitled “We Raise Our Voices” to commemorate the occasion.
Members of the Greater Springfield community were brought together for such a time as this to help further a vision of racial and cultural peace and understanding. It was definitely an opportunity for all people in attendance to engage in a unifying event of song and fellowship. I believe we all left uplifted, grateful to the organizers and sponsors, appreciative of Dr. Wise’s talents, overjoyed by the participation of the singers and musicians, and especially thankful for the vision of the late York Mayo. It was yet another reminder that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. ■
